Obituary of Dr. David Edward Rodger

DAVID EDWARD RODGER The long and remarkable life of a well-known Regina physician and former Victoria resident ended peacefully on Wednesday, January 9, 2013. David Edward Rodger, a resident of the Veterans Unit, Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, was four months into his 103rd year. Born in Amherst, Nova Scotia on September 10, 1910, David Rodger was the second of three sons of Norman and Hattie Rodger. As a youth, he enjoyed playing hockey, baseball, tennis and golf. He cultivated his love of fly-fishing from his mother, and his love of golf from his father, both of which became life long passions. He set his course from an early age to be a doctor, attending Dalhousie University and later obtaining his MD from McGill University, Montreal in 1935. After a round-the-world voyage as a ship’s physician, he married Allison Pattillo of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. They set off immediately for London, England, where David completed his specialty in internal medicine. He served in the British Army Medical Corps during World War II, and then returned to Canada with Allison and their two young sons, to become one of the founders of Regina’s Medical Arts Clinic. After Allison’s untimely death in 1953, David married Winnifred Bonnor Foster of Abernethy in 1957. David and Winnifred enjoyed 34 years together, raising the family and later travelling to New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Portugal and numerous other destinations. Following Winnifred’s death in 1991, David retired from medical practice, and moved to Victoria, British Columbia, where he continued to be active in golf, fishing and volunteer work, making many new friends. David was a proud volunteer in the diagnostic imaging department at Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital, beyond his 100th birthday. Dr. Rodger practiced internal medicine in Regina for 45 years, contributing in various ways to the growth of the medical community in Southern Saskatchewan. He was well known for his outstanding diagnostic skill, sharp intellect and compassion for his patients. He served as the head of the department of medicine at Regina General Hospital, and was an Associate professor of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, teaching many medical students, interns and nurses. Dr. Rodger often wore a pansy in his lapel, a characteristic fondly recalled by many. Apart from medicine, David Rodger had many passions, especially for nature and outdoor sports. He relished sharing his love of fly-fishing, hunting, golf and skiing with friends and family in Saskatchewan’s rich and varied environment, infecting and exhausting everyone with his enthusiasm. In later years, he returned with predictable rigor to more cerebral pursuits - music, literature, world affairs and scientific study, his mind remaining extraordinarily active and curious to the end. He was a committed member and supporter of many organizations, including Rotary, the Winston Churchill Society, Probus, Ducks Unlimited, and the Atlantic Salmon Federation. He was especially proud of his Fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians (London), and returned to attend lectures there into his nineties. Dad loved his family above all, and instilled in each of us his great passion for life. His vitality, strength, and dedication to life long learning is a valued legacy. David is survived by his four sons and one daughter: David -Sharon (North Vancouver), Ian - Mary (London, England), Allan (Waverley, Nova Scotia), Bruce-Pamela (Bragg Creek, Alberta), and Kathleen - Brent (Regina); eight grandchildren: Nicki, Lisa, Jennifer, Keri, Simon, Colleen, Holly and Andrew; and ten great grandchildren: Jaclyn, Natalie, Keely, Ella, Sojourn, Zenashe, Kya, Jack, Gareth and Julian. A Celebration of David’s life will be held on Sunday, July 21, 2013 at the Wascana Country Club, Regina from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com